Take Control of Your Health through Technology

Technology can give us great excuses not to be active and fit. We spend hours in front of the TV or at the computer and then wonder why we gain weight and lose muscle tone. So I was excited to learn about a wealth of new technology that will actually help us improve our health instead of sucking it dry.

The healthcare technology section of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas was packed with devices that can help you track almost anything about your health. Many of the devices are small, easy to use, and actually fun to play with. Here are some of my favorites:

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• BodyMedia® FIT –This device comes in an armband that you can wear 24/7. It tracks your sleep patterns as well as your activity levels and connects online to help you track calories and stick with your fitness plan. You can see it in action on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” this season.

• Polar® Smart Coaching – This device is described as “your perfect training partner”. It uses heart rate tracking to help you set goals and improve performance. It also includes a variety of tests including fitness, body age, recovery and relaxation level.

• IbitzTM PowerKey and Unity – This device made by GeoPalz® is targeted at families and includes products designed specifically for children in addition to the adult models. The goal is to get the whole family to be more physically fit. The kids’ model uses an interactive game to help motivate them to get moving. The more active the kids are the more energy their “pet” has in the game. They can also interact with the device by feeding their pet, giving it water, and putting it to sleep.

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.